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    WEEKEND FOOTBALL: FA Cup, Premiership, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A Previews

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    FA Cup
    12:15 Swansea vs Tottenham
    19:45 Manchester United vs Brighton
    Sunday
    13:30 Wigan vs Southampton
    16:30 Leicester vs Chelsea
    Premier League
    15:00 Huddersfield vs Crystal Palace
    15:00 Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion
    15:00 Stoke vs Everton
    17:30 Liverpool vs Watford
    Eight teams are a game away from Wembley in the FA Cup, while Huddersfield and Crystal Palace contest a huge relegation six-pointer in the Premier League.

    Swansea vs Tottenham

    The big talking point: How will Tottenham cope without Harry Kane?

    What will happen: Of equal curiosity, though, is whether Swansea can continue their good form without Jordan Ayew. The suspended Ghanaian may have his critics,
    but he’s been integral to their good form in 2018 and Swansea will now need to look elsewhere for the outlet he provides at the top of the pitch.

    What won’t happen: No outright centre-forward for Spurs. Fernando Llorente is the obvious choice to replace Kane but, as Son Heung-min showed against Bournemouth,
    he is capable of creating all sorts of issues from a false-nine role. Expect him to start.

    Manchester United vs Brighton
    The big talking point: The pressure on Jose Mourinho. No real challenge in the Premier League, dumped out of the League Cup by Bristol City and now out of the
    Champions League; another botched tactical approach here and there’ll be trouble.

    What will happen: Brighton have focused so much energy on survival that it would be only natural for the standard to drop here. With an international break
    looming, there’s no real reason for Chris Hughton to rotate his side, but mentality is a strange beast. Conversely, this must now be United’s sole focus.

    What won’t happen: Would it be such a surprise if Alexis Sanchez was relegated to the substitutes’ bench? He hasn’t just been disappointing for his new club, he’s
    been dreadful. Big-money signing or not, there’s a cup tie to be won.

    Wigan vs Southampton

    The big talking point: Symmetry. Wigan obviously lost their Premier League status while (successfully) chasing the Premier League dream. Could the same fate befall
    Southampton?

    What will happen: Mark Hughes will take charge of his first game as Southampton manager. Again, with an international break up and two weeks until the next
    Premier League fixture round, there’s no need for any rotation; this is a club that needs to remember what it’s like to win football games, whatever the
    competition, so Hughes will go full-strength from the off as he searches for some momentum.

    What won’t happen: There’s a three-horse race at the top of League One and Wigan do have a game next weekend, but this will still be a cup final of sorts for
    their players. Wembley, after all, is still Wembley. Sometimes, though, teams that produce seismic shocks in one round of the cup can fall foul of an inferior
    opponent in the next game. Having upended Manchester City so dramatically – so famously – it would be very easy for Wigan to underestimate Southampton. Then
    again, maybe not? The Latics have already kicked out Bournemouth and West Ham to get this far.

    Leicester vs Chelsea

    The big talking point: Still the simmering tensions between Antonio Conte and his board, which are unlikely to have eased since Wednesday night’s Champions League
    exit.

    What will happen: Chelsea actually played very well at the Camp Nou, even if the scoreline doesn’t suggest it, but there’s been a noticeable difference between
    their domestic and continental performances for a while. By contrast, Leicester are starting to flicker and ended a five-game winless run with a 4-1 rout at West
    Brom last weekend. Claude Puel’s side are beginning to perform cohesively.

    What won’t happen: No respite for that fragile visiting back-line (and goalkeeper). Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are showing shades of their title-
    winning form, and that combination should take Leicester through to Wembley.

    Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion

    The big talking point: We’re assuming that West Brom are already gone, so it’s Bournemouth’s bid for survival – which, should they win here, will be very much
    in reach.

    What will happen: Eddie Howe’s team played well against Tottenham and were unfortunate to be denied an equaliser late on. If they replicate that performance
    here, balancing sturdy defensive work with smart, incisive counter-attacks, they should brush off an increasingly desperate West Brom with little difficulty.

    What won’t happen: Still no Nacer Chadli or James Morrison for the visitors, with Daniel Sturridge and Gareth Barry also ruled out and Jonny Evans unlikely to be
    fit.

    Huddersfield vs Crystal Palace

    The big talking point: Wilfried Zaha’s return to fitness. He was involved last week, but should start on Saturday. Huge for Palace, who are an entirely
    different side with their talisman.

    What will happen: Huddersfield’s inability to break down 10-man Swansea was deeply concerning – and it was really the story of their season (only West Brom
    have scored fewer goals). You’d expect them to struggle again here, against a side not only emboldened by Zaha’s return but who will also welcome back Ruben
    Loftus-Cheek and Mamadou Sakho.

    What won’t happen: Still, you wouldn’t expect a clean sheet for either side. Palace, because they haven’t kept one since January 13; and Huddersfield because,
    in spite of their flaws, Palace have only been held scoreless once in 2018.

    Stoke vs Everton

    The big talking point: It’s Stoke’s survival bid, of course, but – eesh – are they even sending television cameras to this one?

    What will happen: Stoke’s greater need should tell. Everton’s away record is dismal, they’ve lost their last five on the road outright, and relegation is no
    longer a threat. Added to which, Sam Allardyce will have to contend with a hefty list of absentees: Ashley Williams continues his suspension, which could be
    argued as a positive, but Idrissa Gueye, Theo Walcott and Morgan Schneiderlin are all unlikely to feature, and Gylfi Sigurdsson is estimated to be out for at least
    a month.

    What won’t happen: If Stoke take the lead, don’t expect a fightback. It’s that kind of game and Everton are in that sort of mood. To be cynical, the nature of
    some of their recent performances – with the exception of Brighton at home – suggests that some of these players are already dreaming of a post-Allardyce
    world.

    Liverpool vs Watford

    The big talking point: With Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea all still involved in the FA Cup, this is an excellent chance for Liverpool to firm up
    their top-four position.

    What will happen: Jordan Henderson should return, maybe even Nathaniel Clyne, and expect Adam Lallana to see some pitch minutes too, with Liverpool needing as many
    match-fit players as possible as they try to keep battling at home and in the Champions League.

    What won’t happen: On the evidence of what they produced at the Emirates Stadium, Watford appear to have reached that stage in their season. They’re essentially
    safe, they know it, and that limp performance last Sunday was evidence of a drop-off.


    La Liga

    12:00 Deportivo La Coruna vs Las Palmas
    15:15 Valencia vs Alaves
    17:30 Real Sociedad vs Getafe
    19:45 Real Betis vs Espanyol
    Sunday
    11:00 Leganes vs Sevilla
    15:15 Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
    17:30 Celta Vigo vs Malaga
    17:30 Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid
    19:45 Real Madrid vs Girona

    Girona can get on the scoresheet against Real Madrid

    Girona stunned Real Madrid back in October, winning 2-1 in their first ever competitive game against Los Merengues, and will be looking to repeat the trick
    on Sunday night.
    Their recent form provides reason for hope: Pablo Machín’s men have won three on the spin and are edging towards the Europa League in their first season in
    primera. They have made a nuisance of themselves on recent trips to Atlético Madrid (1-1), Sevilla (0-1) and Villarreal (2-0), so the Bernabéu is unlikely to
    hold any great fear.
    The bad news for the minnows is that Madrid, who were in a real rut when they travelled to the Estadi Montilivi, now have their tails up. It’s now eight wins
    in nine (all competitions) after the smash-and-grab success over Eibar last time out, and they have been especially impressive on home soil, racking up 19 goals
    in their last four league outings at the Bernabéu.
    With Cristiano Ronaldo on fire and Luka Modrić building up fitness after injury, Madrid should exact a little revenge on Girona here. But there’s every chance the
    visitors will also get on the scoresheet, with Cristhian Stuani and Portu – who has already scored against Madrid,​ Atlético, Barça and Valencia this term –
    having shown they can mix it with the best defences at this level.

    Barcelona v Athletic Club
    Barcelona put on another ruthlessness workshop on Wednesday night, drawing Chelsea’s sting and punishing them with some pinpoint finishing – much of it
    through the legs of poor old Thibaut Courtois. Ernesto Valverde’s men were not quite at their flowing best over two legs, but they needn’t need to be, which
    should strike fear into the other sides left in the competition.
    With ten games to go, Barça are still protecting the only unbeaten record in Europe’s top five leagues, and it seems unlikely that Athletic Club will the ones
    to dethrone them this weekend. The Basques have lost the last eight league meetings between the sides, scoring in only two of those games, and have not won
    at the Camp Nou since 2001.
    Valverde’s exit was always going to leave a hole at San Mamés, and José Ángel Ziganda has struggled to fill it this season. Athletic have been unconvincing in
    attack and error-prone at the back, and their hopes of rescuing something from the campaign expired in midweek, when they were dumped out of the Europa League
    by Marseille.
    Barcelona are without Luis Suárez, who serves a ban, but that shouldn’t make too much difference here. Athletic have lost their last three away games 2-0 and this
    one could go a similar way.

    Doomed Málaga won’t be thrashed
    Málaga are already planning for life in the second flight, and while you won’t certainly get rich from opposing them outright – the match odds reflect the fact
    that they’ve taken just two points from the last 39 available – their refusal to really capitulate in any single game provides us with an angle.
    The seasiders carry very little threat in the final third (five goals in 15) but have not conceded three in a match since late November. So while Celta are likely
    winners at Balaídos, there’s no real reason to expect a blowout, meaning the home win and under 3.5 goals looks like value at even money.


    Serie A

    17:00 Udinese vs Sassuolo
    19:45 SPAL 2013 vs Juventus
    Sunday
    11:30 Sampdoria vs Inter
    14:00 AC Milan vs Chievo
    14:00 Benevento vs Cagliari
    14:00 Crotone vs Roma
    14:00 Torino vs Fiorentina
    14:00 Verona vs Atalanta
    19:45 Napoli vs Genoa
    19:45 Lazio vs Bologna

    Juventus Looks to Strengthen Hold of First

    Juventus will look to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A table when they take on SPAL 2013 this weekend. On a sensational run of 22 games without defeat, Juve have a strong squad available for Saturday’s clash. Their hosts, SPAL 2013, have won two and drawn one of their last three games, picking up victories against Bologna and Crotone and earning a valuable point
    away at Sassuolo.

    Classic Encounter
    The two sides played out an entertaining game in the reverse fixture earlier this season, back in October.
    Juventus ran out 4-1 winners, and found themselves 2-1 ahead going into the break. Bernardeschi smashed the ball into the top left corner and and Dybala
    found the opposite top corner from a free kick to put the league leaders 2-0 ahead. SPAL 2013 forward Paloschi reduced the deficit from close range before
    half time.
    However, two second half goals in the space of five minutes from Higuaín and Cuadrado sealed the victory for Juve at the Allianz Stadium.

    Team News
    Both SPAL 2013 and Juventus are expected to name unchanged lineups from their previous outings against Sassuolo and Atalanta respectively.
    Juventus will be without three players, who are all set to miss out on this match through injury. Defender Benedikt Höwedes has a muscle injury, while midfielders
    Federico Bernardeschi and Juan Cuadrado are also ruled out.
    SPAL 2013 have a fully fit squad available as they prepare to host the Serie A leaders. There are no injuries or suspensions to trouble SPAL 2013 manager
    Leonardo Semplici.

    Predicted SPAL 2013 lineup: Meret; Cionek, Vicari, Felipe; Lazzari, Grassi, Schiattarella, Kurtić, Costa; Paloschi, Antenucci.

    Predicted Juventus lineup: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Benatia, Chiellini, Asamoah; Pjanić, Matuidi; Mandzukic, Dybala; Higuaín.
    Udinese v Sassuolo

    Two sides who really shouldn’t be trusted kick off the Serie A weekend, with Udinese looking to find some 2018 form against a Sassuolo team who are in
    desperate need of a win as they slip further and further towards the relegation zone.
    Udinese improved markedly under Massimo Oddo in the build up to the mid-season break, but so far in 2018 they have been poor. They’ve lost their last four, and
    badly miss the goals of Kevin Lasagna, out with injury for a month.
    Those four defeats aren’t maybe as bad as they look, which is why I believe that Udinese are a bet this weekend. Two of the defeats were against Roma and
    Juventus, one was at Samp, and the only one that can be seen as disappointing was the loss at Torino. To use a horse racing analogy, Udinese have been running in
    Championship races and are dropping down to a seller. They should be too good for Sassuolo.
    The visitors have plummeted down the table, having not won since December 23, and they’ve had some horrendous defeats. I’ve had my eye on them for relegation for
    some time, with SPAL and Verona improving, and they are now looking over their shoulders.
    Sassuolo are also missing important players, as Domenico Berardi, Antonino Ragusa and Federico Peluso sit out bans. While their form away from home is better than
    in front of their own fans, I’ll still take Udinese to be a level above, and kick our weekend off with a winner.

    Sampdoria v Inter
    Sampdoria were on the wrong end of one of the shocks of the season so far last week when they went down 4-1 at Crotone. They’ll be happy to be back at home this
    weekend, but they’ll face an Inter team who produced one of their best performances.
    Inter were outstanding against Napoli, and were unfortunate not to win a tight game. With Samp still reeling after what happened at Crotone, I think that Inter
    are good value at odds against for the victory in this one.
    Samp have now lost two of their last three, have strikers who are dangerously out of form, and they look to be treading water. Inter have had their bad run, look
    to be on the other side of it, and I think that they’ll now finish the season powerfully.
    Draws are obviously a worry with Inter, as only Torino have drawn more than them in Serie A this season, and they can be a little conservative, but Mauro Icardi
    always has a point to prove against his old team, is without a goal since January 5, and I feel like he’s in the mood to produce a big performance.
    Inter will be too good for a fading Samp. I see Inter as the bet of the weekend at a generous enough price.

    Verona v Atalanta
    I know that Atalanta’s win at Bologna last weekend cost us, but I’m again a little baffled by their price. Verona might be in the middle of the relegation
    battle, but they’ve won their last two after much improved performances, and I have to give them a chance here.
    Verona are 7.20 to win this, and there’s certainly a case to be made. They lost 3-0 in Bergamo earlier in the season, but that was in the middle of a terrible
    run of form, and they’re a different proposition now.
    Atalanta have won only one of their last seven in all competitions, and their elimination from both the Europa League and the Coppa Italia has clearly affected
    them. They were fortunate to win in Bologna last time, and Fabio Pecchia will feel that his Verona team can get something from them.
    There was some squad rotation, but Atalanta still used up precious energy in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus, a game rescheduled when it was snowed off
    last month.
    Verona have won their last five home Serie A games against Atalanta, and the Bergamo boys traditionally have a really poor record against this opponent. I
    know that those historical statistics can seem largely irrelevant in a game in 2018, but they add to the general feeling that this won’t be a walk in the park
    for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team.


    Bundesliga

    14:30 M.Gladbach vs Hoffenheim
    14:30 Hamburger SV vs Hertha Berlin
    14:30 Frankfurt vs Mainz 05
    14:30 Augsburg vs Werder Bremen
    17:30 Wolfsburg vs Schalke 04
    Sunday
    12:30 Borussia Dortmund vs Hannover 96
    14:30 FC Cologne vs Bayer Leverkusen
    17:00 Leipzig vs Bayern Munich
    Leipzig vs Bayern Munich
    RB Leipzig will be aiming to get back onto the winning trail when they host
    dominant Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München on Sunday.
    It’s been quite the week in the history of RB Leipzig. Formed less than a decade ago and still in the third division as recently as 2014, the club backed by an energy drink, the source of great controversy in Germany, are now in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
    The last two rounds have been a major test of maturity for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s young side who have eliminated Napoli and Zenit since dropping down from the Champions League. Leipzig represent decent value as an outsider in a competition where Atletico Madrid remain clear favourites.
    Give credit where it’s due, the Bulls have looked upon the Europa League as an opportunity rather than a burden even at the expense of their domestic form. Winless in four, Leipzig have fallen to sixth in the Bundesliga and host champions elect Bayern at the Red Bull Arena on Sunday.
    The top four remains only two points away and Hasenhüttl will draw confidence from the knowledge that Leverkusen and Hoffenheim still have to come to them before the season ends.

    Augsburg v Werder Bremen
    I’ve maintained for some time that Werder Bremen are one of the best teams in the bottom half of the table, and they are now consistently proving that under coach
    Florian Kohfeldt. Monday’s nerve-shredding 3-1 win over FC Cologne gave the northerners much-needed breathing space in the relegation dogfight, and they have
    now lost just one of their last seven Bundesliga matches.
    Augsburg continue to surprise under their intelligent coach Manuel Baum, and last weekend’s win at Hannover was highly impressive. The Swabians are still in the
    mix for Europa League qualification, which is remarkable given their resources and the fact that key players Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Alfred Finnbogason are still
    injured.
    However, the squad is stretched, and the last two home games have brought two defeats and no goals. Coach Baum admits his team are purely thinking about
    avoiding the drop first, and only then will they consider the possibility of a push for Europe. Baum is right to be cautious – Hoffenheim caught FCA repeatedly
    in the counter in the last game at the WWK Arena, and Werder have the pace and skill to do the same, with Florian Kainz and Max Kruse particularly dangerous.
    Werder are the outsiders here, and against patched-up hosts who aren’t playing well at home, we can take advantage of that situation.

    Borussia Monchengladbach v Hoffenheim
    Momentum is so important at this stage of a Bundesliga season, and while Hoffenheim have it (they are chasing a third straight win), Gladbach certainly
    don’t. The Foals have won just one of their last seven matches, and their injury list seems to get longer every week. Midfielder Denis Zakaria and defensive
    behemoth Jannik Vastergaard are the latest absentees, and although Oscar Wendt’s long-awaited return will compensate for the loss of Vestergaard to some extent,
    the Dane’s passing ability out of defence will be sorely missed.
    Gladbach have taken just a point from their last three home matches in the league, and they face a Hoffenheim team hitting form at the right time. A fine 2
    -0 win at Augsburg was followed by an even better 3-0 victory against Wolfsburg.
    Striker Andrej Kramaric has scored in five of his last six matches, and his strike partner Serge Gnabry scored and played a part in the other two goals against die Wolfe. Key midfielder Dennis Geiger will miss the rest of the season for Hoffenheim with a torn muscle, so coach Julian Nagelsmann must decide whether to select veteran battler Eugen Polanski, or the more progressive yet fragile Nadiem Amiri.
    TSG have taken ten points from their last five matches, and their attacking players are on great form, so much so that top scorer Mark Uth can’t get into the team at the moment. Given Gladbach’s injury woes, and the fact they are bereft of form, I’ll back the visitors.

    FC Cologne v Bayer Leverkusen

    FC Cologne suffered a heart-breaking defeat on Monday, as they lost 3-1 at Werder Bremen. At 2-1 down, Cologne were the better team for a long spell, but Claudio
    Pizarro missed the kind of chance he has put away so often down the years, and the Billy Goats conceded a late third.
    That loss has left Cologne bottom, and running out of games to launch a late push for survival. They have played much better since long-serving coach Peter Stoger
    left and was replaced by Stefan Ruthenbeck, and they have been scoring goals, but the defensive issues that have plagued them all season haven’t gone away.
    Bayer Leverkusen are back in the race for Champions League qualification thanks to a run of three wins in four matches. They have scored twice in each of those
    three wins, and Argentinean striker Lucas Alario appears to settled into Bundesliga life, with a goal and an assist in each of his last two appearances.
    Cologne’s defending has contributed to an Over 2.5 Goals bet landing in five of their last six games, and ahead of this Rhineland derby, four of Bayer’s last
    five away matches have featured at least three goals.
    I fancy a lively derby, and it’s worth noting that an overs bet has landed in three of the last five clashes between these sides.


    Ligue 1

    16:00 Bordeaux vs Rennes
    19:00 Angers vs Caen
    19:00 Amiens vs Troyes
    19:00 Toulouse vs Strasbourg
    19:00 Montpellier vs Dijon
    Sunday
    12:00 Nice vs Paris Saint Germain
    14:00 Metz vs Nantes
    16:00 Saint-Etienne vs Guingamp
    20:00 Marseille vs Lyon

    Goals on cards as Balotelli returns

    Nice v PSG (7th v 1st)
    An entertaining and absorbing encounter in front of the TV cameras is likely at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday night. Nice and PSG have served up some sensational attacking football in recent weeks, making a high-scoring encounter likely. Nice ran out 5-2 winners at Guingamp last weekend, with striker Alassane Plea scoring four times on his best individual performance of the season. Mario Balotelli returns after missing the win at Guingamp through injury and will
    be desperate to prove himself this weekend – not only because he’ll want to show he remains Nice’s primary striker after Plea’s exploits last weekend, but also
    because this high-profile fixture is a fantastic opportunity for him to play his way into Italy’s World Cup thoughts and also attract attention from clubs that
    may be considering making a move for him in the summer transfer market.
    PSG ran out 5-0 winners over Metz last weekend and followed-up with a 2-1 victory in a rearranged game against Angers on Wednesday night. Kylian Mbappe scored both goals in the Angers win and will be determined to finish the season strongly, while Edinson Cavani is fit and available and should start.
    Both teams’ defending has left something to be desired over the past month, so attacks ought to be on top, making Overs the selection.

    Bordeaux v Rennes (9th v 6th)
    It’s hard to see why Bordeaux are close to evens to win this weekend based on how these two sides have played in recent weeks.
    Bordeaux were initially bright and positive following the appointment of Gustavo Poyet as manager in January but have lost their way in recent weeks.
    Les Girondins have picked up just two points from their last four matches, failing to score in three of those fixtures. They were lacklustre at home to
    Angers (0-0) last weekend, recording their second consecutive goalless draw in front of their own fans.
    Rennes are three places and five points above Bordeaux in the standings, and in much better form.
    Their five-games figure are W3-D2-L0 and Rennes have good team news so will be confident of avoiding defeat at least.
    With Bordeaux too short, this is a good opportunity to lay the hosts.

    Montpellier v Dijon (8th v 10th)
    Montpellier’s chances of winning at Stade de la Mosson appear overrated this weekend.
    Montpellier have won only five of their 15 home matches (W5-D7-L3) so their chances of collecting all three points appear limited. Only two of those five
    home victories have been by a margin of two goals or more so they’re unlikely to run out comfortable winners. Montpellier’s general form has flatlined in recent
    weeks, too: they’re without a win in their last four matches.
    Dijon have a poor home record (W1-D4-L9) but are a better W1-D3-L6 away to non- top four sides. Significantly, they’ve improved playing on the road in recent
    weeks: they’re unbeaten in their last two away games (2-2 at St Etienne, 0-0 at Troyes) and played better on both occasions than they have done overall this
    season.

    Marseille vs Lyon (3rd v 4th)
    The big game in France on Sunday night promises to be a cracker between Marseille and Lyon at the Stade Velodrome. Lyon can’t afford to lose otherwise their
    chances of a podium finish are all but over. There were signs of recovery last weekend when OL ended a demoralising six-game run in the league without a win by
    claiming revenge over Caen, the team that had knocked them out of the Coupe de France.
    Thursday’s debacle in the Europa League has dampened the mood though. One-nil up from the first leg in Moscow, Lyon lost 3-2 to CSKA at the Parc OL and are out.
    Marseille meanwhile finished the job by beating Athletic Bilbao for the second time in a week to book their place in the quarter-finals. Better than them in
    Ligue 1 and in Europe, the confrontation with Marseille this weekend means Lyon can’t escape scrutiny. They are under the microscope and the pressure is well and
    truly on.
    Rudi Garcia is doing an excellent job down by la Vieux Port. Lucas Ocampos and Dimitri Payet have been in fine form of late and Champions League qualification
    is nearing on the horizon. Another win on Sunday would be a big step towards that. It would figure as a knock-out blow to a wobbling Lyon side.


    OTHER LEAGUES


    Eredivisie
    17:30 Twente vs Willem II
    18:45 PSV Eindhoven vs VVV-Venlo
    18:45 Vitesse vs Heracles
    19:45 SC Heerenveen vs FC Utrecht
    Sunday
    13:30 Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax
    15:45 PEC Zwolle vs Feyenoord


    Super Lig
    10:30 Genclerbirligi vs Akhisar Belediyespor
    13:00 Bursaspor vs Sivasspor
    16:00 Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray
    Sunday
    10:30 Konyaspor vs Kayserispor
    10:30 Alanyaspor vs Goztepe
    13:00 Trabzonspor vs Yeni Malatyaspor
    16:00 Istanbul Basaksehir vs Besiktas


    Premiership
    15:00 Aberdeen vs Dundee FC
    15:00 Hearts vs Partick Thistle
    15:00 Rangers vs Kilmarnock
    15:00 Ross County vs Hamilton Academical
    Sunday
    14:15 Motherwell vs Celtic


    Liga NOS
    16:00 Estoril vs Pacos de Ferreira
    16:00 Tondela vs Maritimo
    18:15 Feirense vs Benfica
    20:30 FC Porto vs Boavista
    Sunday
    16:00 Vitoria de Guimaraes vs Aves
    16:00 Moreirense vs Belenenses
    18:00 Chaves vs Braga
    20:15 Sporting CP vs Rio Ave

    Russia Premier League
    08:00 SKA-Khabarovsk vs Ural
    11:00 Arsenal Tula vs FC Rostov
    13:30 FC Krasnodar vs FC Ufa
    16:00 Rubin Kazan vs Spartak Moscow
    16:00 Anzhi Makhachkala vs Tosno


    THE BETTING GUIDE

    It has been a while without Prince Kalema’s tips but I am back with over Eight European leagues. Choose from each League of your choice as you place your Bet with The Grapevine Uganda.

    SATO TIPS:
    Bournemouth – West Brom-1
    Huddersfield – Crystal Palace-2
    Stoke – Everton-1
    Liverpool – Watford-1/gg

    FRANCE: Ligue 1
    Bordueux – Rennes-1
    Amiens – Troyes-1
    Angers – Caen-1/gg
    Montpelier – Dijon-1
    Toulouse – Strasbourg-1

    GERMANY: Bundesliga
    Augsburg -Werder Bremen-1/over
    Monchengladbach – Hoffenheim-1
    Eintrach Frankfurt – Mainz-1
    Hamburger – Schalke-2

    ITALY: Series A
    Udinese – Sassuolo-1/gg
    Spal – Juventus-2

    NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
    Twente – Willem II-1
    PSV – Venlo-1
    Vitesse – Heracles-1
    Heerenveen – Utrecht-1

    SPAIN: LA Liga
    Del. LA Coruna – Las Palmas-1
    Valencia – Alaves-1
    Real Sociedad – Getafe-1
    Betis – Espanyol-1

    ARGENTINA: Superliga
    Rosario Chacarita Juniors -1
    Colon Santa FE – Lanus-over/gg
    Temperley – Huracan-1

    ENGLAND: Championship
    Fulham – QPR-1
    Barnsley – Mill wall-2
    Birmingham – Hull City-2
    Brentford – Middlesbrough-1
    Bristol City – Ipswich-1
    Leeds Utd – Sheffield Wed-1

    ENGLAND: League One
    Blackpool – Southend-1
    Charlton – Fleetwood Town-1
    Gillingham – Blackburn-2
    MK Dons – Bury-1
    Northampton – Rotterdam-2
    Oldham – Portsmouth-1X

    ENGLAND: League Two
    Lincoln City – Grimsby Town-1
    Notts County – Mansfield-X
    Accrington – Forest Green -1
    Barnet – Wycombe-X2
    Cambridge Utd – Swindon-1
    Carlisle – Crawley Town-1

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    NEWS

    She Cranes Star Nuba Reveals Why She Decided To Play For Uganda Not South Sudan; Why She Regrets Giving Birth Early…

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    She Cranes player Mary Nuba

    Born in South Sudan but grew in Uganda, that’s the story of the She Cranes goal shooter Mary Nuba Cholhok who was voted as the best shooter in the just concluded Fast5 Series tournament which was held in New Zealand.

    Uganda emerged in fifth position in the tournament. theGrapevine had a chance to talk to Nuba before she went back to England for her professional career.

    Grapevine: Why did you decide to play for Uganda and not for your native country South Sudan?

    Nuba: South Sudan is still lagging behind in Netball and I’m getting old, that’s why I decided to play for Uganda’s She Cranes.

    Grapevine: What challenges have you faced so far in your career?

    Nuba: Thinking about my five-year baby who stays in Uganda yet I’m in England playing for my professional club.

    Grapevine: Then what about your husband [the baby’s father] ?

    Nuba: I’m not married, though I gave birth.

    Mary Nuba was awarded Fans player of the Fast5 Series tournament

    Grapevine: How did you manage giving birth and playing Netball?

    Nuba: I realized that later that I made a mistake of getting pregnant. But I stood on my feet, forgot all the past and decided to move on with my child and my career.

    Grapevine: How do you manage those good performances?

    Nuba: I work very hard ever day in order to achieve my goals.

    Grapevine: Where do you see She Cranes in four years to come?

    Nuba: I see She Cranes winning the Netball World cup because we have good players who are still young.

    Grapevine: Tell us about the best game in your career?

    Nuba: When we defeated South Africa in the Common Wealth games in Birmingham.

    Grapevine: Who’s your role model in the game of Netball?

    Nuba: Peace Proscovia because of the way she managed to lift her life from a poor background. She is now superstar in the game.

     

     

    By Juma Ali

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    NEWS

    MIRACLE: All She Cranes Players Return After Incidents Of Players Disappearing While On Duty Abroad…

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    She Cranes players and one of the start player Goal Shooter Mary Cholhok Nuba

    It was a miracle this time around after all the She Cranes players returned from New Zealand.

    It has been a habit for some Netball players to escape when the team travels for international tournaments.

    Just last month, two She Cranes players; Nakanyike Shakira, who was a Police Player and Rose Namutebi, who was a KCCA Player, disappeared in UK, during She Cranes international friendlies.

    The disappearance of these two players followed the disappearance of centre Player, Halimah Nakachwa, who disappeared in UK, in 2017 during another international friendly in UK.

    However, this time around, all the nine players who went for the first five series tournament in New Zealand, where She Cranes emerged fifth, after wining three games and losing three games, all returned with the team.

    National players disappearing while on duty abroad is also a habit in other sports disciplines like; boxing, table tennis, Rugby among others.

     

    By Juma Ali

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    NEWS

    It’s Time For Golola To Rest: I’m Going To Punch Him Into Retirement – General Fungu Vows…

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    Moses Golola (L) and General Fungu (R)

    General Hamza Fungu has vowed to fight Moses Golola and send him into retirement come 26th December. 2022.

    Fungu said this during the launch at Akamwesi gardens today.

    Uganda’s middle weight kick boxing champion, Golola Moses is set to face his former trainer, General Hamza Fungu on bixing day at Akamwesi shopping mail gardens.

    Golola, who is known for his many words said that he has beaten many fighters who were better than Fungu, “now look at this piglet, I’m going to show him why I’m called Golola Moses ‘of Uganda ‘  and I call upon Ugandans to come and be witnesses on that day.”

    Though Golola said that he signed a contract which allows both fighters to fight until one gets tired, officials in charge of organizing the show said they will fight K-1 style for five rounds.

    Grapevine had a chance to sit down with Golola’s challenger General Fungu and and this is what he had to say;

    theGrapevine: How are you prepared for this fight?

    Fungu: I’m well prepared but they have also given us enough time. So, I’m going to prepare more.

    theGrapevine: Why, among fighters did you choose Golola?

    Fungu: I have been asking to fight Golola for the last five years but he has been dodging me. He one time asked for 20,000 dollars to fight me.

    theGrapevine: Why do you think he accepted this time around?

    Fungu: I think this time, he has been given a lot of money.

    theGrapevine: Which tactics are you going to use to defeat Golola?

    Fungu : Golola has words but I have the tactics which will defeat Golola.

    theGrapevine: Many people have come out to challenge Golola but he finally wins?

    Fungu : He has been favoured many times.

    theGrapevine: Is it true that the contract you signed for the fight allows you to fight until one of you gets tired?

    Fungu : The contract is a disadvantage to Golola not me because I was born a fighter.

    theGrapevine: What next after this fight?

    Fungu : After this fight, I will fight three more three bouts and retire.

     

    By Juma Ali

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